Ultimate Guide to SOLIDWORKS Certification - CSWP

One of the many great things SOLIDWORKS offers it's customers is the ability to prove their technical know-how through a wide variety of certifications. Obtaining a SOLIDWORKS certification proves that you have what it takes to get the job done. Whether trying to advance at your current position or looking for a new one, having a SOLIDWORKS Certification on your resume will help you get where you need to go.

In this blog post we will cover all you need to know and prepare for another SOLIDWORKS Certification, the CSWP.

Recommended Training Courses:
SOLIDWORKS Essentials
SOLIDWORKS Drawings
Advanced Part Modeling
Advanced Assembly Modeling
CSWP Exam Prep Course (Must have a MySolidWorks account to access)

Note: You must use at least SOLIDWORKS 2015 for this exam. Any use of a previous version will result in the inability to open some of the testing files.

The current release of the CSWP Exam has been broken down into three separate segments.  This new system means you no longer have to set aside a block of time to take the entire exam in one sitting.  The segmented exam allows you to take each segment at any time, and in any order, and if you choose you can take all three in a row.  Once you pass a segment, you will not have to take it again.  If you fail a segment, you will be able to purchase just that segment and take it again.  Once all three segments have been successfully completed, you will automatically receive your CSWP Certification.

Sample CSWP Exam

Exam Length: 3 hours 20 minutes (All segments total)

Minimum Passing Grade: See details below

Re-test Policy:  There is a minimum 14 day waiting period between every attempt of the same CSWP Segment exam. Also, an exam credit for that CSWP Segment must be purchased for each exam attempt.

All candidates receive electronic certificates, business card logos, and personal listing on CSWP directory* when they pass.

Exam features hands-on challenges in these areas:

Segment 1: (70 Minutes – 75 points to pass/105 points maximum)

• Creating a part from a drawing
• Using linked dimensions and equations to aid in modeling
• Using equations to relate dimensions
• Updating parameters and dimension sizes
• Mass property analysis
• Modifying geometry on initial part to create a more complex part
• Modifying parameters on the part at different stages while maintaining all other dimensions and design intent

Segment 2: (50 Minutes – 77 points to pass/104 points maximum)

• Creating configurations from other configurations
• Changing configurations
• Creation of configurations using a Design Table
• Mass properties
• Changing and/or rearranging features of an existing SOLIDWORKS part

 Segment 3: (80 Minutes - 77 points to pass/109 points maximum)

• Creating an assembly
• Adding parts to an assembly
• Doing collision detection when moving a part in an assembly
• Interference detection
• Basic and advanced mates
• Inserting subassemblies
• Replacing a part with another part in an assembly
• Creating a coordinate system
• Using a coordinate system to perform mass properties analysis

Standard SOLIDWORKS tools that may be covered in the exam include:

• Sketch entities - lines, rectangles, circles, arcs, ellipses, centerlines
• Sketch tools - offset, convert, trim
• Sketch relations
• Boss and cut features - extrudes, revolves, sweeps, lofts
• Fillets and chamfers
• Draft
• Shell
• Hole Wizard
• Linear, circular, and fill patterns
• Linked dimensions
• Equations
• Mirror
• Dimensions
• Feature conditions – start and end
• Multi-body parts
• Rib
• Feature scope
• Mass properties
• Move/Delete face
• Materials
• Restraints
• Inserting components - new and existing
• Standard mates and advanced mates
• Reference geometry – planes, axis, mate references
• In-context features
• Interference detection
• Suppression states
• Move/Rotate component
• Assembly features
• Collision detection in an assembly
• External references
• Design tables
• Dimensions and model items
  
  

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